Silent Light (Luz silenciosa) (Director: Carlos Reygadas): Another one of my previewed films that made the final cut, Silent Light is a bit intimidating to write about. Beginning with a stunning six minute shot of the sun rising over a Mennonite homestead, the film alerts us that it is going to require patience and a certain sense of contemplation. And it establishes right away that everything that follows, the human story, is secondary to the cycles of nature, to the circadian rhythms of the natural world, to the pulse of life that beats deep down in the earth and that echoes throughout the universe. I’m sorry if I’m using high-flown language; it’s the effect of this strangely haunting film.

Johan is a simple farmer who’s lived his whole life among the Mennonites of northern Mexico. They don’t communicate much with outsiders, and speak their own Plautdietsch dialect of German. He lives with his wife Esther (Canadian novelist Miriam Toews in a surprising role) and their large family. The film’s crisis comes when we learn that Johan has been carrying on an affair with Marianne, another woman in the community. He’s been honest about it with Esther from the beginning, and has tried to break it off, but deep in his heart he feels that Marianne is his “natural woman” and that marrying Esther was a mistake. Though he clearly loves her and his children, he’s torn by the power of his passion for the other woman as well as his conviction that she is his intended match. Reygadas’ decision to use authentic Mennonite non-professionals has mixed results. Though it’s clear that these are stoic people who use few words, in places the dialogue still felt excessively mannered. He is able to achieve more with the camera than with any spoken dialogue, and that’s where the film finds its emotional power.

The cinematography and sound design are almost Dogme-like in their simplicity, which makes the film’s climax all the more surprising for some. Without giving anything away, all I’ll say is that unlike many, I found it completely natural and moving in its simplicity. And although this is supposedly a community built on Christian faith, I found something closer to pantheism beating at its heart.

Here is the Q&A with director Carlos Reygadas from after the screening:

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Duration: 23:58

Trailer
Official Site

(8/10)

Tagged as: adultery, christianity, faith, mennonites, mexico, religion, spirituality, TIFF

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The Band’s Visit (Bikur Ha-Tizmoret) (Director: Eran Kolirin): This first feature from the young Israeli director is a charming confection that, as the director admits, has no basis in reality. In some unspecified recent past, the members of an Egyptian police band arrive at an airport in Israel and, seeing nobody there to meet them, decide to proceed on their own. Only they mistake one town for another, and end up stranded in a lonely desert settlement. Dina, the earthy owner of the local café, comes to their rescue, finding them lodging for the night and taking a special shine to Tewfiq, the distinguished elder statesman who is the band’s leader. Most of the humour comes from the contrast between the uniformed and very polite band members and the bored and eccentric Israelis who aren’t quite sure how to react to their presence. On one hand, these are Israel’s enemies and should be treated cautiously, but then again, not much happens in their town and so this might be interesting.

The curiosity of both groups overcomes any hesitancy and soon three pairings have formed. Dina takes Tewfiq out for a meal and a drink, and Dina’s sensuality briefly thaws out the older man. Young Khaled, the playboy of the band, goes out on the town with awkward virgin Papi, helping him overcome his shyness with a girl at a roller disco. And soulful composer Simon stays with troubled Itzik, whose marriage appears to be in serious trouble. It’s mostly played for laughs, but there are several touching moments of connection between the characters. For me, the performance of Sasson Gabai as Tewfiq was masterful. Looking uncannily like Ben Kingsley, he brings dignity, sadness, and longing to the role. The other characters are a little too broad most of the time, and the number of sight gags that involve the band lining up in their uniforms becomes a bit repetitive, but for a first feature, Kolirin has done a wonderful job of making a small moment in time and space feel very special.

At the end of the film, when we finally hear the Alexandria Ceremonial Police Band play their beautiful music, we see that despite their uniforms and impeccable manners, these are passionate men who are seeking love, or mourning its loss.

Here is the Q&A with director Eran Kolirin from after the screening:

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Duration: 6:07

Official Site

(7/10)

Tagged as: egypt, israel, music, TIFF

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (Director: Andrew Dominik): This is a very mediocre film. It’s a great example of how TIFF looks for anything with a big star to sell tickets, draw crowds, create meaningless buzz and satisfy autograph hounds. My curiosity got the better of me and I was there looking at Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie on the red carpet.

Tony Scott and Ridley Scott were executive producers and couldn’t save this film from being too long and at times, quite boring. Director Andrew Dominik could easily have cut 20-30 minutes but maybe the producer, Brad Pitt, wouldn’t let him? Even the music score from Nick Cave sounded repetitive and lacking some spark.

The great Roger Deakins was the cinematographer but I felt completely uninspired by the visual style he brought to this film. He does a nice job of making Alberta look like Missouri but that’s it.

On a positive note, the film is actually perfect for Brad Pitt who plays Jesse James. James was the biggest celebrity of his day, so casting Pitt in the lead role works quite well. Casey Affleck as Robert Ford plays a wonderful weasel — the best performance in the film.

There is a bit of violence in the film that startled a few audience members (people saying, “oh my” and “dear God” out loud). The crack of a pistol in one scene caused the woman in front of me to recoil in horror. I’ve never seen anyone snap their head back so fast. I really thought she was going to end up in the seat behind me. This gave me the best chuckle of the evening.

I don’t know. I think the direction and the screenplay by Andrew Dominik was the missing link to a great western. I had high hopes for this film and left disappointed.

Trailer
Official Site

(5/10)

Tagged as: TIFF, westerns